It’s not all fish at the Guyra TroutFest this weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Two gardens will be open to visitors, with statues, cool climate plants, and refreshments. Proceeds go to the owners’ charity of choice.
READ ALSO:
David Kalaney will feature garden sculptures – tiny things to spectacular large works – at “Rosewood”, 34 Robinson’s Lane, along with refreshments and a stall.
Rosewood was established in 1906. Fran Wyndham bought the property in 2000, and began rebuilding the laneways with natives, bulbs, and exotics. David has restored the orchard, and continued the restoration.
Tony Duke’s “Roseville” garden – in Llangothlin Street, just past Tuckeys Lane – is also open with lots of landscaped areas, including sunken gardens and stone structures, and an orchard and berry collection.
He has lots of colour in his garden, including daffodils, boronias, rhododendrons, magnolias, and a glorious showing of hellebore. He has extended his garden extensively in the last year.
The gardens are open over the weekend from 10am to 4pm.
Collecting dolls and cars
Porcelain and vinyl dolls and thousands of model cars in three scales are on display at Bernie and Lorna Brazier’s house, 20 Sole Street, on Saturday, September 29, from 10am to 4pm.
"They’re beautiful collections,” TroutFest coordinator Lynne Chapman said. “Most of their lives they've been collecting.
“Lorna Brazier collects absolutely exquisite porcelain dolls, but also vinyl dolls, which are so lifelike you need to touch them to make sure they're not real little children. It's all beautifully displayed. There's one in a high chair, one sitting in a park.
"Her husband Bernie has collected since he was a teenager. He's got an enormous collection of motor vehicles of every description. He has a whole range of Australian Holden cars, but he's also got Cadillacs and Buicks, in immaculate condition. Some are in glass cases, some are in the open.
“He's also created little scenes,” Mrs Chapman said. “He's got a garage, for instance, that has everything from the little jack that goes under the car to the dog asleep in the corner. It's fantastic to look at!"
Railway heritage
Visitors can also go on heritage tours, and learn about Bradley Street, which used to be a stretch of the New England Highway.
Visitors can go on guided tours of antique and historical displays at the Guyra Railway station between 1pm and 3pm.
The collection includes beautifully restored steam engines and other machinery; an extensive display of police-related memorabilia; household items with long forgotten uses; railway equipment in working order; and, of course, train trolley rides from the festival site to the station all weekend.
New this year is the Craft and Quilt Display at 124 Bradley Street, open Saturday, Sunday, and Monday until 2pm.
Pick up a map and program at the Administration stand or from the Armidale Visitors Centre.